Forums > Areas > Jalisco's Lake Chapala Region

Diana

May 22, 2005, 1:26 PM

Post #1 of 20 (1267 views)

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English Language Library

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Hello,

I have read about an English Library in Guadalajara or Lake Chapala. I am not certain where it is and I believe it is attached to a society.
Can anyone tell me if this still exists and if so, how does one use it? Is the use limited to residents of Guadalajara? What is the check out time periode for books? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

esperanza

May 22, 2005, 1:55 PM

Post #2 of 20 (1246 views)

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Re: [dianao] English Language Library

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The Lake Chapala Society in Ajijic has an English-language library of approximately 30,000 volumes. You must be a member of the LCS in order to use the library; they won't care where you live, as long as you are a member. Membership for one year costs 350 pesos, if I recall correctly. Somebody please correct me if the membership fee is other than that.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Delia

May 22, 2005, 2:00 PM

Post #3 of 20 (1243 views)

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Re: [esperanza] English Language Library

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Membership rates for the Lake Chapala Society were just increased for the coming year. Single membership is 400 pesos - family is 600 pesos.

jaybear

May 22, 2005, 2:30 PM

Post #4 of 20 (1236 views)

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Re: [esperanza] English Language Library

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I checked out the LCS library when we were visiting, but did not get beyond determining that they had a huge collection of paperback mysteries and suspense novels, which means I need not bring down my collections of favorite authors. I noted they had a smattering of other fiction; for example, I looked up Hemingway and they had 2 very early paperbacks of short stories, if memory serves. Do they have much in nonfiction? I did not get to those sections, and now I am wondering.
"Don't believe everything you think" - Maxine

JayBear

esperanza

May 22, 2005, 3:12 PM

Post #5 of 20 (1228 views)

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Re: [jaybear] English Language Library

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My experience of the LCS library is that they have an enormous selection of the most popular genres of fiction: mystery, romance, science fiction, westerns. Other fiction is hard to find. The non-fiction selection is smaller, although there is a collection of mostly modern biographies.

They also have a separate and huge DVD and VHS film library available LCS members only.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Diana

May 22, 2005, 4:29 PM

Post #6 of 20 (1213 views)

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Re: [JohnO] English Language Library

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What is the length of time books can be checked out? Two weeks, three, longer? Is there an e-mail address for the Lake Chapala Society so I can get more information?

Thanks to everyone who responded so quickly!
Diana

Jerry@Ajijic

May 22, 2005, 7:24 PM

Post #7 of 20 (1185 views)

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Re: [dianao] English Language Library

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The LCS library consists of 3 rooms. 1 & 2 are fiction and room 3 is non fiction with reference books, an assortment of books on about anything and a zillion cookbooks and diet books, some French books, some German and a whole seperate library in another location ( Ed Wilkes Building) where there is a very good selection of books in Spanish which can be check out just like the ones in the English library. The Spanish childrens books are good for learning to read Spanish.

PeggyS

May 23, 2005, 12:17 AM

Post #8 of 20 (1161 views)

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Re: [esperanza] English Language Library

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The Lake Chapala Society also has a large variety of books for sale, both paperbacks and regular books, so that you can possibly replenish your own library. And many of the second-hand stores in Ajijic also sell books, you never know what you will find.
If there are books of your own that you want to bring with you, check with your local Post Office about the "M bag", which is a books-only bag that is sent at a much-reduced rate to the Ajijic P.O. where you must have a post office box number to which it will be sent. Our bags arrived there safely after their slow journey by pony express or mule train.
And a word about Powells Books, an internet (and actual) large bookstore, that is a favorite with many of us, as they will send books to you in Mexico (many won't) and if the order is above a certain amount, the postage is free.
Hope this helps you with your library.

jaybear

May 23, 2005, 6:31 AM

Post #9 of 20 (1141 views)

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Re: [PeggyS] English Language Library

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PeggyS, that is wonderful news about the "M" bag. I will check on this right away. We are trying to restrict ourselves about what we ship from Mass. to Ajijic, as the cost is very high. Thus, we are getting rid of lots of books, but it would be nice to bring our favorites, and I was concerned about the cost of bringing even one box of large art, gardening, and history books. The "M" bag would be perfect, as we really have nothing irreplaceable to lose if the books never arrive, but it would be great if they do. Would you tell me roughly how long it took and what it cost, just out of curiosity?

And thanks for the specific info on Powells. I have become emotionally dependent on getting books from Amazon.com, where I can be assured of finding anything I want.

Does anyone go to bookstores in Guad? I understand there are some goos used bookstores. In Ajijic, I noted the small bookstore in the basement of the building near El Torrito had bestsellers, but they were about twice the full retail U.S. cost. I also noted that there is at least one book swap in operation.

Of course, without being snowed in during the winter, we may do less reading and need fewer books than in years past!
"Don't believe everything you think" - Maxine

JayBear

lmaxine

May 23, 2005, 6:55 AM

Post #10 of 20 (1134 views)

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Re: [dianao] English Language Library

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http://www.lakechapalasociety.org/
"He upon whose heart the dust of Mexico has lain will find no peace in any other land." Malcolm Lowry

Howard Botz

May 23, 2005, 7:21 AM

Post #11 of 20 (1123 views)

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Re: [lmaxine] English Language Library

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Shipping from Seattle Washington a full canvas 'M' bag costs around $15 US and takes about 30 days to Ajijic.

Howard

purplepatty

May 23, 2005, 11:27 AM

Post #12 of 20 (1098 views)

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Re: [Howard Botz] English Language Library

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How many lbs. can you get in, or are allowed in an "M" bag? I have 7 boxes of books packed for Lakeside. If I could ship them reasonably, it would free up a lot of space in my station wagon.

esperanza

May 23, 2005, 12:51 PM

Post #13 of 20 (1080 views)

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Re: [purplepatty] English Language Library

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I just posted a new thread under "General" giving all details of the M-bag. Head on over there to look at it.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Jerry@Ajijic

May 23, 2005, 1:31 PM

Post #14 of 20 (1078 views)

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Re: [esperanza] English Language Library

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Nobody has mentioned that as of the first of this year there is duty charged on books. About 25-30% on the used books we get from Powells. Even so being able to buy used books, with no shipping charges, is a pretty good deal. I do not know if the duty is just on purchased books or on all books.

Roses5410

May 24, 2005, 5:50 AM

Post #15 of 20 (1028 views)

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Re: [dianao] English Language Library

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Books from LCS are checked out for 2 weeks at a time, at which time you must bring the book in to renew OR you can now renew online...

Late fees are $1 peso per day per book with a cap of $25 pesos per book...
I love taking pictures...check out my prints for sale @ http://Rosacalaca.dpcprints.com/

(This post was edited by Roses5410 on May 24, 2005, 5:51 AM)

bdlngton

May 24, 2005, 12:19 PM

Post #16 of 20 (976 views)

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Re: [esperanza] English Language Library

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Are the DVDs and video tapes available at the LCS in the format (region) to play on US DVD players or VCRs? I'm debating whether to bring my DVD player and VCR or not. I would suppose videos and DVD available to rent in videostores are in the format of Mexico and mostly in Spanish?
Susy

esperanza

May 24, 2005, 12:58 PM

Post #17 of 20 (972 views)

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Re: [bdlngton] English Language Library

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VCR movies are the same in Mexico and in the USA; there's no change of region.

DVD movies at the LCS are generally Region 1 (USA) format.

DVDs sold in Mexico are almost 100% Region 4 (Mexico) format. Movies that are made in English are still in English, with Spanish subtitles. Very few are dubbed, other than the cartoons or the movies for children. Movies made in other languages (French, German, Asian languages) will continue to be in those languages--with Spanish subtitles. Many DVDs have the option to choose your language when you play them.

My opinion: bring your current DVD/VCR player. New movies on DVD have something added to them that prevents them from playing on even multi-regional DVD players here in Mexico--something that the studio itself puts in. Even tweaking your multi-regional DVD player to accept it won't allow it to play.

You can tweak the Region 1 DVD player that you have to play Region 4 DVDs, though.

JMHO.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

bdlngton

May 24, 2005, 2:48 PM

Post #18 of 20 (956 views)

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Re: [esperanza] English Language Library

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Mil gracias, Esperanza! En mi proxima vida quisiera saber aun la mitad de lo que tu sabes en esta! :-)
Susy

Rolly

May 24, 2005, 2:53 PM

Post #19 of 20 (953 views)

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Re: [esperanza] English Language Library

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"You can tweak the Region 1 DVD player that you have to play Region 4 DVDs, though."

Please, tell us how.

Rolly Pirate

esperanza

May 24, 2005, 3:56 PM

Post #20 of 20 (941 views)

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Re: [Rolly] English Language Library

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All I can say is thank god for the anonymity of the cave. Color me in hiding, cuz here goes--but you didn't hear this from me, okay? Click on the following link and scroll down to find the make and model of your DVD player. Click on it.

If you don't find what you need on this website, there are many others available. Google for them.

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks.php

Happy viewing.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com